365 days ago, I took a deeeeeep breath, launched this blog, and released my thoughts out into the world for others to hopefully resonate with. I’m so grateful for all the feedback I’ve received and the inspiring conversations I’ve had as a result. I especially want to thank my friends and family for the outpouring of love the day I launched, and their continued support to this very day. While I cannot name each person, because there are many of you, just know that you have a special place in my heart.
I appreciate each of you who take the time to read, share, and comment on my blog posts. So, to thank you, I want to share a few tips and lessons for those of you who want to build their own platform online. These tips apply to anything, though. Let’s get into it!
Do some research before committing, then go for it.
- It’s important to have a “why” when taking on a creative project such as blogging, and good research will help you get there a bit faster. My why is written on my “about” page. Ask yourself: what do you enjoy sharing with others? What inspires you? What can others learn from you? Make notes along the way. Just don’t spend too much time waiting for the perfect time to start, because there will never be one!
Consider the feedback you receive from loved ones.
One of my tips later in this post will be to avoid relying on external validation, but to some degree, I believe it can help you too. While my blog is really just a brain dump, I do like to factor in what my family and friends would appreciate reading too. I consider them when creating a blog post, just like I consider the strangers who may stumble across the post, as well. So, consider, emphasis on consider, what the people around you may have to say about your work. But ultimately, do what feels right for you.
Join the community you wish to be a part of and start engaging with its members.
- Do you love art? Research more about the industry and find other artists on social media you can follow/share your work with! Are you a foodie? Follow more food accounts and ask your fellow foodies what their favourite food spots or recipes are! Do you want to start a podcast? Listen to a bunch of other podcasts first and observe how different hosts approach each episode. It also helps to search up the most popular hashtags in your niche and find people who inspire you. There’s no better way to begin your journey than by surrounding yourself with the people who are already where you want to be.
Keep your projects quiet until they’re further along and you’re ready to announce them.
- It helps to have a confidant or a few people that you trust in your corner for support. Otherwise, learn to move quietly. This helps me stay sane, and there’s so much peace that comes with doing things until they come to fruition. Or even if something doesn’t come into fruition, at least you didn’t announce it to the world. We already share so much on social media these days, anyway, keep some things private.
Organize your thoughts.
- Store all your ideas into a google drive, notes app, or physical journal. Create folders and organize them. This will help clear your head and it’s nice to have a place you can refer to for all your ideas!
Keep track of your successes and setbacks.
- Write them down and reflect on them. When you make note of your ups and downs, and look back on them down the road, you’d be amazed by your journey. It also gives you an amazing perspective on what has worked/hasn’t worked for you over time.
Give yourself grace.
- Some days you’ll feel inspired, some days you won’t. In both cases, remind yourself that you’re doing your best and be patient with yourself.
Invest in your growth.
- That includes educating yourself to become better at what you do. If you feel a little rusty, sign up for workshops, events, courses, anything that will expand your mind and give you the tools you need to succeed. Attend networking sessions, Q&A’s, live discussions. Information is invaluable, especially when it comes directly from individuals that you look up to in your field. Consider it an investment of your time, and money if there are any additional fees.
Storytelling comes in many different forms.
- Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can only be good at one thing, or, contrarily, that you need to be everywhere at once. It’s only by doing, that you realize what you love doing. Experiment and discover yourself more this year.
Time management.
- You’ll acquire time management skills in the process. I soon learned that balancing my blog, social media, work, and school would require (unprecedented) discipline. I thought I could juggle them easily, but it took a new level of dedication. At times, you’ll really have to become your own accountability partner, but don’t be afraid to ask for help too. There are people who are there for you, you don’t need to take on the entire load yourself. If you need help shooting content, ask. If you need an extension on an assignment, ask. If you need advice, ask. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Do what makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone will always be rewarding. If you want to tap into new levels of potential or growth, you won’t get there by doing what you’ve always done. You need to try new things and challenge yourself. You’d be amazed by what you’re capable of.
Don’t follow the crowd.
- At the beginning of my blogging/content creation journey, I felt like I had to follow all the trends I was seeing in order to reach the success of my peers. But that didn’t feel authentic to me. Authenticity is sharing what feels natural, despite what others may deem as “cool” or not. Comparing yourself to others will set you back. It’s important to keep up with trends and see what others in your niche are doing. But it becomes unhealthy when you measure your success to theirs, or theirs to yours. We’re all just trying to do well in this life, and hopefully make a difference. I promise you bring a unique point-of-view. I know it’s hard to see it when it seems like people are moving 10,000 miles a minute online, and so effortlessly, but you also don’t get the full picture in a 30-second reel or 10-slide photo dump. Success will look different for everyone, so just do you!
Learn to validate yourself and I promise you’ll build more confidence as a creator and as a person.
- There may be times you’ll publish a post and don’t get the reaction or engagement you were hoping for. But don’t beat yourself up. Building confidence in yourself and your work will take time, but just remember relying on external validation each time will only impede your growth. Before you post or do anything, ask yourself if you truly are happy with it. If the answer is yes, then don’t fret the amount of likes, comments, or reactions you get.
Have fun!!!!! And soak up the entire journey.
- This tip may be the most important because a lot of the time, when we start to take ourselves too seriously, it takes the fun out of what we do. Always dig deep for that spark. Remember why you started and let it fuel you on those days you need an extra push. Whether you’ve built a new online platform, began a new job, or just tried anything new, always remember to have fun. It will make the days feel richer. Take the pressure off yourself to “perform” and just simply do it. Channel that magic inside of you.
Now take a deep breath and go get it!!
Kundi xo
Leave a Reply